to defy

Definition of to defy in English English dictionary: maugre; To renounce or dissolve all bonds of affiance, faith, or obligation with; to reject, refuse, or renounce; To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt
to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion.; {n} a challenge, defiance, contempt; {v} to challenge, dare, oubrave, despite; {f} oppose, resist; challenge; If you defy someone or something that is trying to make you behave in a particular way, you refuse to obey them and behave in that way. This was the first time that I dared to defy my mother; resist or confront with resistance; "The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held"; elude, especially in a baffling way; "This behavior defies explanation"; A challenge; If you defy someone to do something, you challenge them to do it when you think that they will be unable to do it or too frightened to do it. I defy you to come up with one major accomplishment of the current Prime Minister = dare; challenge; "I dare you!"; If something defies description or understanding, it is so strange, extreme, or surprising that it is almost impossible to understand or explain. It's a devastating and barbaric act that defies all comprehension; To provoke to combat or strife; to call out to combat; to challenge; to dare; to brave; to set at defiance; to treat with contempt; as, to defy an enemy; to defy the power of a magistrate; to defy the arguments of an opponent; to defy public opinion; challenge; "I dare you!" resist or confront with resistance; "The politician defied public opinion"; "The new material withstands even the greatest wear and tear"; "The bridge held" elude, especially in a baffling way; "This behavior defies explanation; elude, especially in a baffling way; "This behavior defies explanation